Everyone loves coffee, but most people don’t like the price tag that goes along with treating yourself to a fancy coffee from a high-end coffee shop. Instead, many people choose to brew their own at home. In our bleary-eyed morning state, we love the coffee to pull us into a more functional version of ourselves. Unfortunately, there are lots of small mistakes that people make that prevent them from having an incredibly delicious cup of coffee at home instead of a mediocre one.

First, starting of with quality beans will make a difference. The roast is up to you, although it is not common knowledge that light roasts actually contain more caffeine than dark roasts. Not only do quality beans matter, but when you grind them does as well. Beans should be ground just before the coffee is to be made for best flavor. Grinding it too thickly or too thinly can also affect the flavor of your coffee. Bitter coffee means you’re grinding too finely, and weak sour coffee can mean it’s too thick.

Next, finding the proper ratio for your coffee will give you a consistent cup of coffee every time. If you like strong coffee, try a ratio of 1 tablespoon of coffee for every two ounces of water. Pay attention to deviations from this ratio to find your exact preference.

In a coffee shop, the machine gets cleaned every night. At home, how frequently do you clean your equipment? Leftover grounds or dust can add bad flavors to subsequent cups. It’s also not good for your machine to have residue or buildup blocking its function.

Following these steps can improve the taste of your homemade coffee and allow you to appreciate the variety of flavors in a cup of coffee.